How to Install Vinyl Floors Over Linoleum

Vinyl flooring is long-lasting, durable and easy to clean. In addition, it can be installed over almost any flat surface. If your home contains old, worn out linoleum, you may consider installing your new vinyl floor over the existing flooring. Pulling up old linoleum is not only a messy process, but very time consuming. By installing your new vinyl over the old linoleum, you could have your new floor completed in only a few days.

Things You'll Need

• Leveling compound
• Trowel
• Underlayment
• Hand saw
• Paper rolls
• Painter’s tape
• Duct tape
• Pencil
• Jigsaw
• Underlayment stapler
• Vacuum
• Roll of vinyl
• Utility knife
• Vinyl adhesive
• Rolling pin

Instructions

1. Inspect the linoleum for a raised pattern. Vinyl flooring must be installed over a perfectly flat surface. Even if your linoleum appears to be flat, run your hand across the surface to determine if a residual pattern can be detected.

2. Apply leveling compound generously to your existing linoleum flooring if there is a noticeable pattern. Smooth the leveling compound out with a trowel. The leveling compound will fill in any dents or patterns in your flooring, leaving behind only a perfectly flat surface on which you may install your vinyl. Leveling compound can be purchased at most hardware stores.

3. Remove your baseboards and carpet threshold strip. Place a piece of underlayment against each door jamb to determine how high your finished floor will be. Use a hand saw to saw enough of your door jamb away to accommodate the new vinyl flooring.

4. Create a paper template of your floor by cutting wide rolls of heavy paper to adhere to the exact shape of the room. Tape the paper together at the edges with painter’s tape.

5. Remove the paper template and arrange your underlayment on another surface in the general shape of the room. You may use duct tape to firmly attach the sheets of underlayment to each other. Replace the paper template on top of the underlayment. Trace the shape of the paper template onto the underlayment.

6. Cut out the underlayment with a jigsaw. Staple the sections of underlayment to the existing flooring using an underlayment stapler. These can be rented at most construction supply stores and some hardware stores. You should staple the seams and center of each piece of underlayment to ensure that it remains stable.

7. Cover the underlayment with leveling compound. Spread the leveling compound as smoothly as possible with your trowel, taking care to leave no bumps from staples and no exposed edges. Allow the leveling compound to dry for approximately 20 minutes, and then carefully vacuum away any excess compound.

8. Roll out the vinyl flooring on a flat surface. Place the paper template on top of the flooring and trace around it. Cut the vinyl into the exact pattern of your floor with a utility knife.

9. Apply vinyl adhesive to one section of the room. If your room is large you may begin at the corners. With a small room, however, you may do one half of the room at a time. Smooth out the vinyl adhesive with a trowel and attach the corresponding section of flooring. Keep the unglued portion of the vinyl away from the floor as you work. Attach the entire section of vinyl in this manner.

10. Roll over the newly attached vinyl flooring with a rolling pin to ensure that there are no air bubbles or bumps.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are laying vinyl in your bathroom, you should seriously consider removing the toilet before you begin to make your task easier. If you are unable to remove the toilet, calling a plumber to do so may still be cheaper than paying a professional to install your vinyl floors.

• Vinyl adhesive and leveling compound may give off toxic fumes. Be sure to work in a well ventilated area. If ventilation is not possible, wear a respirator.

References

• The Natural Handyman: Installing Vinyl Over Linoleum
• Reader’s Digest: How to Install a Sheet Vinyl Floor

Resources

• World Floor Covering Association: How to Clean Vinyl Flooring